The posting
Job description
Job Title: Bartender Contract type: Permanent Location: London on site Team: Restaurant and Club Team Reporting to: Hospitality Operations Manager Salary: Competitive Closing date: Friday 27 November 2026 *Please not we are unable to provide work visa sponsorships
Our Restaurant and Club Events Team is looking for an enthusiastic, organised, and proactive Bartender.
The successful candidate will be responsible for providing a professional, welcoming and efficient bar service to members, guests, visitors and colleagues of the Royal Kennel Club.
The role has primary responsibility for the day-to-day operation, presentation and service of the Club bar, ensuring consistently high standards of customer service, beverage quality, stock management, cleanliness and compliance with licensing and health and safety requirements.
The Bartender will also support the wider Club operation, including food service, dining, reception and events when required, contributing to a flexible and seamless member experience across the Club. Essential:
- Previous experience in a bar, hospitality, catering, restaurant, members' club, hotel or customer-facing environment.
- Previous experience preparing and serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Experience providing excellent customer service to a diverse range of customers, members or visitors.
- Experience handling cash and card transactions accurately.
- Experience working as part of a team in a busy and fast-paced environment.
- Experience maintaining high standards of cleanliness, presentation and organisation.
- Excellent customer service and communication skills.
- Professional, friendly and welcoming manner.
- Good organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work flexibly and remain calm and professional under pressure.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Good understanding of health and safety and food hygiene practices.
- Understanding of responsible alcohol service and the importance of complying with licensing requirements.
- Food Hygiene Level 2 or equivalent
Desirable:
- Experience working in a private members' club, hospitality venue, hotel or corporate environment.
- Experience working in a high-quality or premium hospitality environment.
- Experience supporting meetings, conferences, events or functions.
- Experience using EPOS systems and card payment terminals.
- Experience with bar stock control, ordering or inventory management.
- Knowledge of wines, beers, spirits, cocktails and other beverage offerings.
- Relevant bar or hospitality qualification.
- Experience providing food service alongside bar responsibilities.
- Previous front of house or reception experience.
- Basic administration skills.
- Knowledge of hospitality service standards within a members' club environment.
- Personal Alcohol Licence Level 2
Bar Operations & Service
- Take primary responsibility for the day-to-day operation and presentation of the Club bar, ensuring it is fully prepared, appropriately stocked and ready for service.
- Prepare, mix and serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to a consistently high standard and in accordance with Club requirements.
- Develop and recommend cocktails and other drinks offerings that complement the Club's menus, member preferences and seasonal requirements.
- Proactively recommend and upsell wines, cocktails and other beverages by understanding member preferences and identifying appropriate opportunities to enhance the member experience and increase beverage sales.
- Work with the relevant Club colleagues to develop a concise list of recommended wine pairings to accompany the menu of the day/week. Present these recommendations at the daily or weekly morning briefing, as appropriate, so that all Club assistants are equipped to confidently recommend suitable wines and beverages to members and visitors.
- Provide guidance and share knowledge with Club assistants on wines, cocktails and other beverages, supporting a consistent and confident approach to beverage recommendations across the Club.
- Provide professional, friendly and efficient service to members, guests, committee members and visitors.
- Develop a strong knowledge of the Club's drinks offering and confidently advise members and guests on beverage selections and recommendations.
- Maintain appropriate levels of bar stock, glassware, equipment and consumables throughout service.
- Monitor stock levels and identify requirements for replenishment or ordering.
- Maintain high standards of bar presentation throughout service, including the cleanliness and organisation of the bar, equipment and service areas.
- Ensure the bar is appropriately opened and closed in accordance with Club procedures.
- Support the introduction and promotion of new drinks, seasonal offerings and other appropriate Club initiatives.
- Ensure alcohol is served responsibly and in accordance with licensing requirements and Club procedures.
Member & Guest Experience
- Deliver a consistently high standard of hospitality and customer service that reflects the Royal Kennel Club's values and standards.
- Build positive and professional relationships with members, guests, committee members, colleagues and visitors.
- Respond positively and professionally to member and guest requests, queries and feedback.
- Use knowledge of the Club, its facilities and services to assist members and guests wherever possible.
- Anticipate member and guest needs and take a proactive approach to delivering an excellent experience.
- Communicate effectively with colleagues to ensure member and guest requirements are understood and delivered.
- Provide appropriate front of house support, including reception or visitor-facing duties, when required by the Member Experience Supervisor.
- Act as an ambassador for the Royal Kennel Club, maintaining a professional, welcoming and helpful manner at all times.
Front of House & Reception
- Providing cover when required as a welcoming first point of contact for members, visitors, suppliers and contractors entering the Club.
- Provide a warm, professional and friendly reception service that reflects the Royal Kennel Club's values and commitment to excellence.
- Support the Membership Experience Host in managing visitor arrivals, sign-in procedures and guest enquiries, ensuring appropriate security and visitor protocols are followed.
- Support room bookings, hospitality requests and event enquiries as directed by the Member Experience Supervisor or management team.
- Welcome members, guests, visitors and contractors to the Club in a professional and friendly manner.
- Support the Membership Experience Host in managing reception and visitor sign-in procedures, ensuring visitor records are maintained accurately.
- Respond to telephone, email and in-person enquiries promptly and professionally.
- Assist visitors with directions, meeting arrangements and general information regarding Club facilities and services.
- Monitor public areas to ensure they remain tidy, presentable and welcoming throughout the day.
- Support meeting room bookings and hospitality requests as required.
Food, Dining & Hospitality Support
- Support the wider Club hospitality operation by providing food and beverage service when required.
- Assist with the preparation and lay-up of dining rooms, meeting rooms and other hospitality spaces.
- Serve food and refreshments to members, guests and committees when required, maintaining appropriate standards of presentation and service.
- Develop a good understanding of the Club's food offering, menus and dietary requirements to support member and guest enquiries.
- Clear and reset tables and service areas promptly and appropriately.
- Assist with afternoon tea, coffee services, lunches and other hospitality requirements.
- Support the delivery of food and beverage services in meeting rooms and other Club spaces as required.
- Work flexibly across the Club to support colleagues during periods of increased demand or staff absence.
Events & Function Support
- Support the preparation, set-up and delivery of Club functions, committee meetings, private events and member activities.
- Ensure bar and hospitality requirements for events are prepared and delivered in accordance with booking specifications and agreed service standards.
- Provide bar service and, where required, food and beverage service during events and functions.
- Ensure appropriate levels of drinks, glassware, equipment and other hospitality supplies are available for events.
- Assist with the set-up and clear-down of event and function spaces.
- Support evening functions, special events and major Royal Kennel Club events, including Crufts, when required.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure events run smoothly and provide a high-quality member and guest experience.
Cash, Stock & Operational Management
- Operate the electronic point of sale (EPOS) system accurately and efficiently.
- Process cash and card transactions in accordance with Club procedures.
- Ensure accurate recording of food and beverage sales and report any discrepancies promptly.
- Support the effective management of bar stock, including stock checks, rotation, replenishment and minimisation of wastage.
- Assist with ordering and replenishment of beverages, bar supplies and other hospitality stock as required.
- Receive, check and appropriately store deliveries of beverages, food and hospitality supplies.
- Ensure stock is stored securely and in accordance with relevant food safety and licensing requirements.
- Monitor equipment and facilities and report any faults, maintenance requirements or operational issues promptly.
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, service standards and the member experience and raise these with the Member Experience Supervisor.
Cleanliness, Compliance & Safety
- Maintain consistently high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, presentation and organisation within the bar and wider Club service areas.
- Clean and maintain bar equipment, glassware, fridges, service areas and other relevant equipment to the required standard.
- Assist with washing up and cleaning of crockery, silverware, glassware and catering equipment when required.
- Ensure dining, meeting, hospitality and public areas are maintained to a clean, safe and presentable standard when supporting wider Club operations.
- Comply with all Fire, Emergency, Security, Health & Safety and Food Hygiene procedures.
- Adhere to all relevant alcohol licensing legislation and responsible alcohol service practices.
- Follow Club policies, procedures and standards as detailed within the Employee Handbook.
- Attend mandatory training and complete all required compliance training.
- Report accidents, incidents, hazards, safeguarding concerns, equipment faults and other health and safety matters promptly.
- Undertake other reasonable duties commensurate with the role as requested by management.
Job benefits
- 25 days annual leave, increasing up to 30 days, in addition to statutory holidays. Staff may also receive additional days for any approved business closure days over the festive period in December, Option to buy up to five days of annual leave per year.
- Employer pension contributions double the percentage of your plan earnings, up to 8%
- Life assurance equivalent to three times your basic salary (two times your basic salary for non-pension scheme members)
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Lifestyle discounts via our EAP and healthcare cashback programme
- Discounts on Royal Kennel Club products and services
- 4X Complimentary staff tickets to Crufts and Discover Dogs
- Healthcare cashback programme with a fixed contribution paid for by the Royal Kennel Club
- Free eye tests with a voucher towards the cost of your spectacles
- Financial support for professional and vocational qualifications, with five days' study leave provided
- Free access to The Royal Kennel Club Library and Art Gallery
